Don't miss: Plant sale and PBS film

Plethora of plants awaits public at annual sale

Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum burst to life come springtime. The Peonies start to peek. Woody plants begin to flower. The daffodil line emerges at the Arb. And it's also time for the annual Plant Sale.

Nearly 25,000 pots of perennials, annuals, climbing vines, herbs, scented geraniums and other plant varieties will be available. There will be free gardening demonstrations from local garden experts and garden staff.

With more than 8,000 annual attendees, the MBGNA Plant Sale has become a destination for plant enthusiasts throughout southeast Michigan. Those who become MBGNA members can enjoy the sale a day before the general public.

For more information call (734) 647-7600. Proceeds benefit the MBGNA. Sponsored by the MBGNA, Michigan Public Television, Michigan Public Radio, Korzon Landscapes and Ten Thousand Villages.

Film on childhood to air on Michigan PBS outlets

"Where Do The Children Play?"  a new one-hour film that tackles issues about childhood and growing up today  will air at 9 p.m. April 15 on public broadcasting stations across Michigan and will be distributed nationwide to PBS stations beginning in May.

Told largely in the voices of children, it examines alarming changes that have occurred in children's lives in the span of a generation: disconnection from nature, disappearance of play spaces, increasing obesity, psychological and medical problems and drug prescriptions.

This shift in health patterns is directly related to changes in the metropolitan landscape. U-M participants in the film include Dr. Elizabeth Goodenough, childhood expert and lecturer; Dr. Rowell Husemann, media violence expert; and Robin Means Coleman, media expert.

The film was developed and produced by Metrocom International for Michigan Public Media. Jennifer White, station manager of Michigan Television/WFUM-TV, is the executive producer. Funding for the film was provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Ruth Mott Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, and the Herrington-Fitch Family Foundation.